Carly Rae Jepsen Wants to Be More Than Friends on New Song “On Wires”

Carly Rae Jepsen returns with "On Wires," a pop-rock single that marks the opening track of her forthcoming double album. The song finds Jepsen pivoting toward a rockier sonic palette while maintaining the infectious melodic sensibility that defined her 2015 breakthrough "Emotion" and its 2018 sequel "Emotion: Side B."

The 24-track collection expands Jepsen's ambitions significantly. Rather than releasing a standard album, she has opted for a sprawling double-length project that allows her to explore multiple sonic territories in one package. "On Wires" establishes this exploratory intent immediately, leaning into guitar-forward arrangements and a more textured production approach than the synth-heavy work that preceded it.

The title track lyrics suggest romantic yearning. The song balances Jepsen's trademark pop hooks with a grittier instrumental foundation, signaling an artist willing to experiment without abandoning the melodic core her fanbase cherishes. This represents a deliberate move away from the pure electronic pop aesthetic that dominated her last two releases.

For Jepsen, who has spent the past decade rebuilding her career after the global success of "Call Me Maybe" (2011), this double album functions as both consolidation and reinvention. She has cultivated a devoted following among indie and alternative pop listeners who appreciate her songwriting craft and willingness to evolve. Pitchfork's coverage underscores how Jepsen continues to operate in the margins of mainstream pop, respected by critics but operating outside the algorithmic streamlining that dominates contemporary radio.

The 24-track structure recalls a particular ambition from earlier eras of album-making, where artists used expansive formats to demonstrate range and depth. For Jepsen, this approach allows simultaneous release of multiple sonic explorations rather than the current industry standard of singles-driven rollouts. "On Wires" promises rock credentials while maintaining the pop sensibility that defines her current artistic identity.